Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
‘Oh, goody.’ I toss the towel over my shoulder and rub my hands together. ‘Bring it on, baby. Bring. It. On.’
Her attempts to hide the twitch in her lips fails miserably. ‘You’re much older than me. I’m thinking speed isn’t your thing these days.’
Much older? ‘You haven’t seen me chase the boys away from our daughter. I’m a fucking greyhound.’
Eyes narrowed, she steps to the left. And I step to the right. ‘I’ll catch you,’ she warns.
Good. I hope she does. ‘And what will you do to me then?’
‘That’s for me to know.’
‘And I’m gonna find out.’ I dart out of the kitchen, towel billowing behind me, and as soon as I’m out of her sight, I drop to the floor and lie down on my back.
She comes half hobbling out of the kitchen, yelping when she trips over my foot. I catch her perfectly and bring her softly down onto my chest. ‘Seems you caught me, Mrs Ward.’
‘Don’t humour me.’ She presses her palms into my pecs, intending to push herself away but getting completely distracted by the vast expanse of my naked chest instead, her eyes sparkling with delight. The grins are coming thick and fast this morning.
‘Earth to Ava,’ I whisper, knocking her out of her mesmerised state.
‘You know,’ she sighs, keeping her eyes on mine as she lowers her lips to my pec and drops a lingering kiss there, ‘I think even if I were still young, I’d want to do you.’
Laughter rumbles up from my toes, jolting her on my chest. I feel her grin against my skin, her hands splayed and feeling me. Once I’ve pulled myself back around, I roll us, trapping her naked body beneath mine. She hisses, and I bolt up, worried. ‘It’s fine.’ She sinks her hands into my hair and plays with the strands. ‘The floor’s cold on my back. How’s your hand?’
My eyes narrow, aware she’s trying to divert the attention onto me. ‘My hand is fine.’ I flex it a little, testing my own claim. A little sore, but that’s all.
Moving her hands to my arse, she sinks her nails into the material of my boxers, circling her hips up on a sultry hum.
My cock wakes up, and I lift my hips to make room for it between us, the ache instant. I groan, dropping my head. I need to rein myself in. ‘I’ve taken up far too much of your energy over the past couple of days.’ Motorbike rides, dinner, arguing . . . sex.
‘But—’
‘No buts.’ Grudgingly, I rise, helping Ava up and wrapping her in the towel, ignoring her grumbling. ‘You need to eat.’ Her shoulders slump, and while I’m beyond thrilled that she’s struggling to contain her want, I’m aware of how much I’ve taken out of her, even if she won’t admit it. I turn her and lead her back to the kitchen, sitting her down before serving up her eggs. Questionable eggs. ‘Eat,’ I order, putting the fork in her hand and grabbing my phone. I just need to make a call. I dial John and leave the kitchen. ‘Sarah rang me last night,’ I tell him quietly when I’m out of earshot, looking over my shoulder.
‘What the fuck?’ He’s not happy. Good. Neither am I. ‘I’ve fucking told her.’
‘Well, you can tell her again.’
He grunts his confirmation. ‘I will. I have. But she’s insisting she needs to talk to you.’
‘That ain’t happening. The woman’s poison.’
‘I know that. You know that. But Sarah’s just as stubborn as ever.’ He sighs. ‘I’ll speak to her. How’s Ava?’
‘She’s good. The club?’
‘S’all good,’ he confirms. ‘You concentrate on your girl.’
‘Thanks, John.’ I smile as I hang up, and quickly take the opportunity to call Elizabeth back while Ava’s eating her breakfast. ‘Hey.’
She sighs. ‘Jesse Ward, I am not—’
‘Shut up, woman. I’ve not called about the little shit. I wanted to talk to you about Ava and the kids.’
‘Oh? Everything okay?’
‘Yes, actually. Really good. And the kids?’ I don’t need to ask. I can see it on their faces every time we talk. They’re fine.
‘They’re great. Full of questions, but they just need reassurance. Speaking to Ava has helped.’
I smile. ‘I know it’s been a week already, but our first few days here were spent in tears. I’m seeing progress now, Elizabeth.’ It pains me to say it, and I miss the twins terribly, but . . . ‘Can you give me a little more time?’
She doesn’t hesitate. ‘We were thinking of heading back on Monday.’
‘I love you, Mum.’
‘Shut up, you menace.’ She hangs up as I head back to the kitchen and take a stool next to Ava, noticing she’s not touched a bit of her breakfast.
I nudge her when she places her fork down, flipping her a warning look as I slide my phone onto the counter, ready to commence force-feeding my wife. ‘Stop staring at it and eat.’